2023 Best Value Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences
181
Ranked Colleges
6,024
Degrees Awarded
$14,800
Avg Net Price*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Geology Schools” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
Geology & Earth Sciences is the 125th most popular major in the country with 6,024 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.
For this year’s “Best Value Geology Schools” ranking, we looked at 181 colleges that offer a degree in geology and earth sciences. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent geology and earth sciences programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the geology and earth sciences program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
More Ways to Rank Geology & Earth Sciences Schools
When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Geology Schools” list to help you make the college decision.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Best Value Geology Schools
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geology Schools.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences
Out of the 181 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools that were part of this year’s ranking, Brigham Young University - Provo landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Provo, Utah, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 26 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend BYU is $13,474 for Geology students.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full BYU Geology & Earth Sciences Report
Out of the 181 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wyoming landed the #2 spot on the list. UW is a fairly large school located in Laramie, Wyoming that handed out 27 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
UW did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools” list. It costs about $11,085 for geology students per year to attend University of Wyoming.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Wyoming Geology & Earth Sciences Report
Out of the 181 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Houston landed the #3 spot on the list. Houston, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 60 students in 2020-2021.
On top of its placing in this ranking, UH also did well on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. It costs about $13,721 for geology students per year to attend UH.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at University of Houston
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Middlesex County College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Geology Schools list. Middlesex County College is a medium-sized school located in Edison, New Jersey that handed out 5 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Middlesex County College is $9,950 for geology students.
Full Middlesex County College Geology & Earth Sciences Report
Out of the 181 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - River Falls landed the #5 spot on the list. University of Wisconsin - River Falls is located in River Falls, Wisconsin and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 8 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - River Falls is $13,844 for geology students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at UW - River Falls
Western Michigan University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools ranking. WMU is a fairly large public school situated in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It awarded 12 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $20,371 for geology students per year to attend WMU.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Western Michigan University
With a ranking of #7, Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools list. Springfield, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 30 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Missouri State is $16,718 for geology students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Missouri State Geology & Earth Sciences Report
Iowa State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools list. Iowa State is located in Ames, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 21 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
Iowa State excels when it comes to geology quality. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State is $16,002 for geology students.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Iowa State University
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools ranking, coming in at #9. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is located in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $19,927 for geology students per year to attend Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at SRU
University of South Florida - Main Campus came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools ranking. University of South Florida - Main Campus is a public institution located in Tampa, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 39 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for USF Tampa is $8,346 for Geology students.
With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full USF Tampa Geology & Earth Sciences Report
Western Carolina University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools list. Western Carolina University is a fairly large public school situated in Cullowhee, North Carolina. It awarded 9 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend WCU is $13,924 for Geology students.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at WCU
University of Akron Main Campus ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools list. University of Akron Main Campus is located in Akron, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 16 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for University of Akron Main Campus is $17,945 for geology students.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at University of Akron Main Campus
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools ranking, coming in at #13. This fairly large school is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and it awarded 8 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend UW - Eau Claire is $16,051 for geology students.
Full UW - Eau Claire Geology & Earth Sciences Report
Mississippi State University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools ranking. Mississippi State is a public institution located in Mississippi State, Mississippi. The school has a large population, and it awarded 177 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Mississippi State excels when it comes to geology quality. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. It costs about $16,122 for geology students per year to attend Mississippi State.
With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Mississippi State Geology & Earth Sciences Report
University of Nevada - Reno came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools ranking. UNR is located in Reno, Nevada and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 16 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on this list, UNR is in the top on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. It costs about $14,930 for geology students per year to attend UNR.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at UNR
East Tennessee State University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools ranking. ETSU is a fairly large public school situated in Johnson City, Tennessee. It awarded 34 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $12,894 for geology students per year to attend ETSU.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at East Tennessee State University
With a ranking of #17, California State University - Long Beach did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools list. Long Beach, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 16 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend California State University - Long Beach is $10,054 for Geology students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at CSULB
Texas A&M University - College Station landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools ranking. College Station, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 108 students in 2020-2021.
Texas A&M College Station also took the #3 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Texas A&M University - College Station is $18,919 for Geology students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Texas A&M University - College Station Geology & Earth Sciences Report
Oklahoma State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools ranking, coming in at #19. Oklahoma State University - Main Campus is a large school located in Stillwater, Oklahoma that handed out 30 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Oklahoma State University - Main Campus is $14,237 for Geology students.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at OSU
The University of Texas at Austin landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools ranking. This large school is located in Austin, Texas, and it awarded 50 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Austin, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UT Austin is $18,350 for geology students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin
Bowling Green State University - Main Campus ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools list. BGSU is a fairly large public school situated in Bowling Green, Ohio. It awarded 7 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $18,558 for Geology students per year to attend Bowling Green State University - Main Campus.
Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at BGSU
Texas Tech University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools ranking. Texas Tech is a public institution located in Lubbock, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 47 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Texas Tech is $16,194 for Geology students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Texas Tech
University of Florida landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools ranking. University of Florida is located in Gainesville, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 32 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
UF did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for UF is $5,135 for geology students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at University of Florida
University of North Carolina at Wilmington landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools ranking. Wilmington, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 33 students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for University of North Carolina at Wilmington is $19,136 for Geology students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full UNCW Geology & Earth Sciences Report
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools ranking, coming in at #25. Cal Poly Pomona is a large school located in Pomona, California that handed out 28 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $14,304 for geology students per year to attend Cal Poly Pomona.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Cal Poly Pomona
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